Somalia: Puntland Reasserts Authority Over Territorial Waters and Warns Against Unapproved Foreign Activities

Garowe, Puntland — 5 July 2026: The Puntland government has issued a statement reaffirming its constitutional authority over the management of its territorial land and maritime resources, warning that foreign governments, companies and investors must obtain prior approval from Puntland authorities before undertaking any activities within its jurisdiction.

In the statement released on Saturday, the regional administration said it holds constitutional and legal authority to control, manage, explore and utilise natural resources located within its territory, including approximately 1,600 kilometres of coastline along the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden.

Puntland argued that its position is grounded in both the Puntland Constitution and Somalia’s Provisional Federal Constitution, citing several constitutional provisions that define the division of powers between Somalia’s Federal Government and its Federal Member States.

The administration specifically stated that no foreign private or state-owned company—including Turkey’s state-linked company SOMTÜRK—may engage in fisheries investment, coastguard operations or any other activities in Puntland’s territorial waters without the prior consent of Puntland authorities.